Mark Sanchez will have competition for the New York Jets' starting quarterback job next preseason, new general manager John Idzik confirmed Monday.

According to The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger, the team has discussed at least one out-of-the-box candidate: former Oakland Raiders starter JaMarcus Russell.

JaMarcus Russell, one of the biggest draft busts of all time, wants back into the NFL. (AP Photo)

The Star-Ledger report said that members of the Jets' organization had very exploratory, informal discussions about Russell after former GM Mike Tannenbaum was fired this month. Idzik was hired last week.

It is not known whether the talks have progressed.

Russell, 27, recently made it known that he is attempting a comeback after being out of football the past three seasons. The first pick of the 2007 NFL Draft played three seasons in Oakland which were marked by poor conditioning and preparation. He said he is down to 308 pounds (he was listed at 265 when he played).

Russell completed 52.1 percent of his passes and had a 65.2 rating in 680 career attempts.

Idzik told New York radio station WFAN on Monday that he informed Sanchez that he will be pushed.

"Yeah, I’m comfortable with Mark being a Jet," Idzik said. "I told him as well, we’re going to add competition. ... It’s going to help make Mark and everybody else better."

Sanchez is owed $8.25 million next season in the second year of a five-year contract. The remaining three years are not guaranteed.

Tim Tebow, Sanchez's backup this season, is not expected to return. The status of third-stringer Greg McElroy is uncertain.